A nation is known, recognized and distinguished among the world nations by certain characteristic features. The highest and the greatest of these features is culture.

HEYDAR ALIYEV
7453

Statement from the Ministry Of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan on the insult of the mosque in Zangilan by armenians

The historical territory of Azerbaijan - the region of Nagorno Karabakh, including its immediate areas, which has been under the seizure of Armenian armed forces for almost 30 years, is now being progressively freed by the victorious army of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Thanks to the courage demonstrated by the service personnel of our Armed Forces, the regional centres of Jabrail, Fizuli and Zangilan, as well as a number of the populated areas of these regions, and that of the Khojavend and Tartar regions have been freed from the occupation. Historical and cultural monuments located in our freed territories have also been saved from the enemy.

However, we regret to note that during the years of the occupation, the aggressive policy of Armenia has either destroyed or misappropriated the immovable historical and cultural monuments belonging to the Azerbaijani people, while vandalising these historical sites by use that contradicts their historical and cultural purpose. The most common examples of immovable cultural heritage damaged by the Armenian armed forces are the Islamic monuments such as mosques, tombs and other places of worship. Armenians have demonstrated their hatred of Azerbaijanis by keeping animals inside mosques. Such barbaric treatment of the cultural heritage in the occupied territories, including unique monuments of special importance, is a threat to world heritage.

 As expected, many monuments in the freed areas are in a deplorable condition. The state-registered immovable historical and cultural monument – the mosque in Zangilan was used to keep pigs; this is another clear example of Armenian vandalism, and this fact is strongly condemned not only by Azerbaijan, but should also be criticised by international organisations and the progressive world community as a barbaric attitude to the world’s cultural heritage. This reflects the attitude of the Republic of Armenia to other religions and shows its true face.

Keeping animals in the mosque, which is a place of worship for Muslims, along with the negative attitude of the Republic of Armenia to human values, is disrespectful to the religious values ​​of our people and the entire Muslim world, and it should have a legal evaluation at the international level. We call on the states and peoples of the civilised world to condemn such heinous acts of the Republic of Armenia against human values.

We also refer to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, according to which the occupying power must not allow the destruction, looting and misappropriation of and must refrain from hostile actions against cultural property.

NEWS

28.02.2024 18:01
“Hello, Novruz!” 28 February – 15 April
05.02.2024 13:57
Exhibition Motherland of Mine is held at the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum
23.01.2024 08:46
Meeting Held to Discuss the Activities of Theater, Performance, and Concert Institutions
22.01.2024 08:45
Ministry of Culture Establishes Expert Council to Evaluate Annual Repertoires and State-Ordered Performances in Theater and Performance Institutions
09.01.2024 15:13
The Appeals Commission Holds the First Meeting Regarding the Results of the ARKA Film Project Competition
09.01.2024 11:30
Meeting of Appeals Commission Reaches Conclusion
08.01.2024 18:32
Honored artist Aygun Baylar sent off on her last journey
25.12.2023 17:53
The Results of the Publication Procurement Competition determined
22.12.2023 11:48
OIC Delegation Visits the Ministry of Culture
22.12.2023 11:30
"e-Culture" Digital Development Strategy (2024-2026) of the Ministry of Culture Gets the Green Light
20.12.2023 13:08
A Comprehensive Overview of the First Cultural Heritage Forum in Azerbaijan
19.12.2023 18:04
The Cultural Heritage Forum ended
19.12.2023 14:46
The 5th panel is devoted to the topic "Protection of the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period"
19.12.2023 14:41
The next panel of the forum: Research and protection of the immovable historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan
19.12.2023 09:48
A discussion was held on "Movable cultural heritage in Azerbaijan. Museum work and modern challenges" at the forum
18.12.2023 17:14
A discussion was held on "Protection of intangible cultural heritage and modern challenges"
18.12.2023 15:29
"Fine art and contemporary challenges" - the first panel discussion of the Cultural Heritage Forum
18.12.2023 14:22
The Cultural Heritage Forum is being held for the first time in our country
06.12.2023 14:43
Four  more elements related to the intangible cultural heritage of Azerbaijan included in the UNESCO list
06.12.2023 13:24
An individual exhibition called "Dialogue with Time" will be opened
05.12.2023 09:43
The Days of Kazakh Culture ended with an exhibition and a gala-concert
04.12.2023 12:55
   Minister of Culture met his Kazakhstani counterpart
04.12.2023 10:23
The Humor Festival of the Turkic World was held
01.12.2023 14:15
Summary of the Culture and Creative Industries Forum
30.11.2023 18:01
"Perspectives of Cooperation in the Field of Humor of the Turkiс World" - round table within the framework of "Creative Week"
30.11.2023 16:17
An event dedicated to the music industry of Azerbaijan was held as part of the “Creative Week”
30.11.2023 14:27
The Cultural and Creative Industries Forum concluded